Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-02

tramp, they assembled in regular steps.
A deep groan burst forth from the hall
above-then, receding gradually into
the old part of the house, the terrified
listeners heard yells, shricks, cries and
prayers for mercy, laughter and pistol
shots.
God be merciful to us!" gasped
the mother. al dare not leave this
room. o Helen, what dreadful news
for ouand me does this night bringP"
The hours dragged on till the dawn,
while these poor distressed ones sat
there together. Before the welcome
light of the new day came, the candle
burned out and left them for half an
hour in the darkness. So helpless
were they now from fear that neither
dared to look for another and light 1t.
AT last Helen summoned resolution
enough TO 90 again to window, raise
the curtain, open the sash and throw
wide the blinds. The blessed light Of
day poured into the room; in the joy
Of their relief, both fell upon their
knees and offered silent prayer.
A rap at the door disturbed them.
care you awake Mrs. WILTSHIRE
you and your daughter alive?"
1t was the voice of Louis Hunter,
shaking with excitement and agita-
ton.
The door was unfastened to him. he
came in, looking haggard, exhausted,
sleepless. He stared wildly at the
women.
Excuse me-rve come to bid you
an abrupt farewell, he said. "Nothing
could tempt me to remain an hour
longer in this cursed house. should
have fled in the night had dared"
He turned to go. In the hall he
stopped and looked back.
"Did you see themP" he whispered,
glancing fearfully up the stairs.
1--WE heard the horrible noises; that
was enough" Mrs. Willis said. "Pray
don't talk of it! Goodbye, sir; Helen
and will leave here at once"
mot talk of itr' he cried. mo. l
would MOTTO any one but you. I've
seen that in the night which has turned
mems hair white, and made the strong
man chattoling idiot. o, Heaven!-
o, God, blot it out from my memory"
He put his hands over his face, and
shuddered.
"Spare usr' cried the mother. $50
in peace"
81 can not go till / have .old you; it
would be cruel to keep gu Ignorance
of what these horrible thugs mean.
You must know; you must be prepared
for the news that is on its way to you. y
The poor woman stood rigid as a
statue, staring at him, held up from
falling only by the arms of Helen.
81 heard the awful noises all through
the night" he went on. They chilled
my blood with terror. / fear not man,
but lay covering with alright at the
demons from another world. At last,
when for an hour there had been a lull
in the hcllish revels, | became bold
enough to open my door and look out
into the hall. Horror of horrors! /
saw a light coming up the stairs.
heard the footballs of the man who car
ried it; it was ships lantern, held
high up at arm length, as il the bear
er wished to make sure of the way. /
fell back into the chamber; the hideous
thing followed me. He stopped at the
stand, and laid something upon it.
Then he looked at me with the CHASTITY
face and dull eyes of the dead. He
looked at me. and pointed at the OBJ
ject which he had placed upon the
stand. looked that way, and | saw
that it was great scal-ring. He
made the circuit of the room slowly,
examining everything in it, then he
vanished through the doorway, and l
lost sight of him.
"You saw his face" Mrs Willis
screamed. "Who was itP"
"You know--don't ask mel Here is
what he left with me"
1t was massive ring with an onyx
stone. engraved with a Roman W.
Mrs. Willis own gift to her husband,
which he had worn for ten years on his
little finger,
Helen was holding scnseless form
in her arms.
Louis Hunter fastened away by the
back door